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Old South Dental Directory
Adolescents
Appearance and Self-Image
Appearance and self-image
are very important at this age. Decaying teeth or poorly positioned teeth or jaw can make an individual extremely self-concscious. We take pride in providing a caring approach to helping our younger patients achieve and maintain a beautiful smile, and healthier gums and teeth.

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Nantucket Island

43 Old South Road
Nantucket, MA 02554
Tel (508)228-2699
Email:
info@oldsouthdental.com

Your child's first visit
The AAPD suggests the first visit at 6 to 12 months.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests that
your child's first dental visit should occur between 6 to 12 months of age or when their first tooth appears.

We encourage you to bring younger brothers or sisters to their siblings appointments so that they can become familiar with our office environment. We will spend the appointment time getting to know your child and teaching them to be comfortable with the dentist and hygienist. We find fun and imaginative ways to introduce children to the equipment and procedures in dentistry.

The visit will also include a medical history review, an oral examination with x-rays if needed, a cleaning and age appropriate oral hygiene instructions. Parent education and nutrition counseling will also be available.

All children will receive a tooth brush, tooth paste, fluoride rinse and a prize.

Your Baby's baby teeth
Caring for primary teeth is essential
Because your child's primary
teeth (or baby teeth) are not permanent, parents may tend to overlook the important functions that these teeth serve.

Aside from being vital for proper nutrition, these teeth assist in the normal development of the jawbone and facial muscles. They reserve room for the permanent teeth to help guide them into position. Children with healthy teeth chew food more easily and learn to speak more clearly.

Your child's primary teeth must last for 5 to 10 years or longer. Therefore, it is essential that they learn proper care early on.

Children's Dental Care
Your child's good dental hygiene habits
should begin even before their first tooth appears.

Wiping their gums with a soft damp cloth after feeding will help to prevent the build-up of bacteria.

Once they are 12 to 18 months, you can begin brushing, twice a day, with a soft baby toothbrush. Use a small amount of toothpaste that does not contain fluoride. A non-fluoride toothpaste is safe for your child to swallow.

When your child reaches pre-school age, you can begin to use a small amount of fluoride toothpaste.

Teen Pediatric Dentistry

Just because they aren't a child anymore doesn't
mean your teenager should stop seeing their pediatric dentist. Growing doesn't stop at childhood and teens will experience important growth in their face and jaw during these years.

Teens are also getting the last of their permanent teeth and those teeth that have just come through the gums are especially vulnerable to tooth decay. Your teen should understand that these are the teeth that will be with them for the rest of their lives. Proper care now can ensure the healthiest smile possible.

Your teenager has probably begun to make most of their decisions concerning diet and nutrition. Given this, teenagers actually have a higher incident of cavities and tooth decay due to frequent snacking and poor nutritional choices. Brushing, flossing and visiting your dentist every 6 months are all important factors in maintaining a healthy and beautiful smile.

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Your teenager's teeth
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